Nebraska lawmakers have kicked off a review of school funding and its impact on local property taxes, an issue that has divided the Legislature in years past.

The Revenue and Education committees convened Thursday along with mediators who will try to help senators reach an agreement.

Nebraska's public schools rely heavily on property taxes, and rural senators have argued that farmers and ranchers are paying more than their share because of high property values. Some urban senators say the state needs to focus on diversifying the economy beyond agriculture to grow the cities while encouraging people to live in rural areas.

Sen. Kate Sullivan, chairwoman of the Education Committee, says the meetings are intended to generate ideas for a Nov. 12 public hearing. Lawmakers are set to reconvene in January.